Assembling apparatus



P 1951 v c. A. NICHOLS ETAL 2,568,248

ASSEMBLING APPARATUS Filed May 31, 1946 12 Sheets-Sheet l c. A. NICHOLS' ETAL 2,568,248

ASSEMBLING APPARATUS Sept. 18, 1951 Filed May 51, 1946 12 Sheets-Sheet 2 1 4s I Z7- Sept. 18, 1951 c. A. NICHOLS ETAL 2,568,248

ASSEMBLING APPARATUS Filed May 51. 1946 12 Sheets-Sheet 3 42 z INVENTOFZS c. A. NICHOLS El AL Se t. 18, 1951 ,ASSEMBLING APPARATUS 12 Shets-Sheet 4 Filed May 31, 1946 INVENTORS 5M 7&MM A? 2:. a

flit ATTORNEY/ Sept. 18, 1951 c. A. NICHOLS ETAL 2,553,243

' ASSEMBLING APPARATUS Filed may 31, 1946. 12 Sheets-Sheet 5 c. A. NICHOLS ETAL Sept. 18, 1951 ASSEMBLING APPARATUS l2 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed May 31, 1946' ATTORNEY-7 lrlll p 4 1951 v c. A. NICHOLS arm.- 2,568,248

ASSEMBLING APPARATUS Filed m 31. 1945 t 12 Sheets '-Sheet 7 c. A. NICHOLS ETAL ASSEMBLING APPARATUS Sept 18, 1951 12 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed May 31, 1946 jNvEN'lyRs a5 M /Mfi 76 $2 ATTORNEY P 1 1951 c. A. NICHOLS ET AL K r 2,568,248

' ASSEMBLING APPARATUS Filed May 31, 1946 12 Sheets-Sheet 1O KZQQ Se t. 18, 1951 c. A. NICHQLS ET AL 2,563,248

ASSEMBLING APPARATUS Filed May 31, 1946 12 Sheets-Sheet 11' l/Za 000000060 /z Sept. 18, 1951 Filed May 31, 1946 c. A. NICHOLS El AL 2,568,248

ASSEMBLING APPARATUS lz'sheets-shee't 12 INVENTOR5 ATTORNE- Patented Sept. 18, 1951 AS SEMBLING APPARATUS Charles A. Nichols and Lora E. Poole, Anderson, and Donald G. Mahoney and Marshall D. McShurley, Muncie, Ind., assignors to General Motors Corporation, Detroit, Mich, a corporation of Delaware Application May 31, 1946, Serial No. 673,574

4 Claims. (01. 270--58) 1 This invention relates to machinery for stacking a plurality of different flat parts in predetermined sequence. The machine disclosed herein is particularly adapted for stacking plates and separators for storage batteries.

An object of the invention is to provide a machine comprising a conveyor having a plurality .of holders, each for receiving the required number of parts, a plurality of magazines, each receiving a pile of parts to be stacked, the number of magazines equalling the total number of parts tobe stacked in each holder of the conveyor, and means operating in timed relation with the conveyor for transferring the parts, one at a time,

.from the magazines to the holders while the conveyor continues its movement.

More particularly, it is an object to provide a transfer mechanism associated with each magazine and having vacuum cups which are lowered upon the uppermost part of each magazine stack and which become attached to the uppermost part by suction applied to the cups, the cups be- .ing lifted with a part attached thereto and then shifted laterally into vertical alignment with a conveyor holder, the vacuum then being broken a so that the part descends from the cups to the holder.

In connection with the foregoing it is a further object to provide for gradually lowering the holders as the conveyor moves so thatthe distances which the parts descend from the vacuum Z cups will be substantially the same.

A further object is to provide each magazine with means for automatically lifting its stack of parts so that the uppermost part remaining in the stack will be positioned for engagement by the suction cups when they descend upon it. This object is accomplished by the provision of a vertically movable platform actuated upwardly by mechanism having step-by-ste motion and operated in timed relation with the conveyor.

A further object is to provide for reloading each magazine before all of the parts therein have been transferred to conveyor holders. This object is accomplished by providing for the descent of the platform while leaving within the reach of the vacuum cups a plurality of parts to be engaged thereby while additional parts are being placed upon the platform. Manually operable means are provided for elevating the platform so that the "uppermost one of the reloaded parts engages or is in close proximity to the lowermost part held in reserve during the reloading operation.

A further object is to provide a machine of the character described, which is adapted for stacking different numbers of parts in the holders of the conveyor. In this connection, it is an object to provide for the construction of each magazine and its associated transfer mechanism as a unitary structure. To the conveyor frame there are secured a number of these units equalling the number of parts to be stacked in each conveyor holder. In this connection it is an object to provide a magazine and transfer unit of such construction that any one of the units can beremoved from the machine without disturbing any of the other units.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, wherein preferred embodiments of the present invention are clearly shown.

In the drawings:

Figs. 1, 3 and 5 taken together, form a front elevation of the machine and Figs. 2, 4 and 6 constitute the rear elevation.

Fig. 4A is an enlargement of certain parts shown in Fig. 4.

Fig. '7 is an enlargement of the right end of Fig. 6 and shows certain parts in longitudinal section.

Fig. 7A is a fragmentary view on line IA-1A of Fig. '7.

Fig. 7B is a sectional view on line lB-JB of Fig. 7A.

Fig. 8 is a sectional view on line 8-8 of Fig. 6 and is drawn to a larger scale.

Fig. 9 is a side elevation of the vacuum control .valve at the upper part of Fig. 8 and is drawn to alarger scale than Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a sectional view Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a sectional view on line H-ll of Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a sectional view on line I2l2 of Fig. 6 and drawn to a larger scale. Figs. 13, 14 and 15 are, respectively, plan, side on line Ill-40 of and end views of one of the conveyor work hold- Fig. 22 is a sectional view on line 22-22 of Fig. 21.

Fig. 23 is a sectional view on line 23-23 of Fig. 22.

Fig. 23A is a sectional view on line 23A-23A of Fig. 22.

Fig. 24 is a sectional view on line 24-24 of Fig. 21.

Fig. 25 is a fragmentary, top view of the front portion of a, magazine-transfer unit.

Fig. 26 is a fragmentary, sectional view on line 26-26 of Fig. 25.

Figs. 27 and 28 are views, similar to Fig. 26, showing parts in other positions of operation.

Fig. 29 is a sectional view on line 2929 of Fig. 21.

Fig. 30 is a view of a sprocket wheel and coupling chain looking in the direction of arrow 30 of Fig. 29.

Fig. 31 is an enlargement of a sprocket coupling chain shown in Fig. 30, that part of Fig. 31 which is in section is on line 3|3| of Fig. 32.

Fig. 32 is a view in the direction of arrow 32 of Fig. 31 and shows a detachable link of the chain coupling.

Fig. 33 is a vertical, longitudinal sectional view of a magazine unit provided with a modified form of control for the parts elevating platform.

Fig. 34 is a view in the direction of arrow 34 of Fig. 33.

Figs. 35 and 36 are fragmentary front and side views, respectively, of a magazine when adapted for receiving battery plates, the magazine shown in Figs. 16, 17, 21, 22, 23 and 23A being adapted for receiving battery-plate separators.

Fig. 3'7 is a fragmentary sectional view on line 31-31 of Fig. 36.

Fig. 38 is a fragmentary view in the direction of arrow 38 of Fig. 37.

Fig. 39 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of the conveyor at the same end as shown in Fig. 7.

Fig. 40 is a cross-sectional view on line 48-40 of Fig. 39.

The conveyor The supporting structure of the conveyor comprises chiefiy front and rear side frames. The front-side frame (Figs. 1, 3, comprises left end section 4| and right end section 42 and a plurality of intermediate sections 43 as may be required to accommodate the required number of magazine units I08 (shown in front elevation in Fig. 3) and duplicated diagrammatically. The rearside frame comprises end section 5| (Fig. 6), opposite section 4| (Fig. 1), end section 52 (Fig. 2), opposite section 42 (Fig. 5) and the required number of intermediate sections 53. The number of units 100 equals the number of parts to be stacked, for example, the total number of plates and separators used in one cell of a storagebattery. The frame sections are secured together by bolts, not shown, some of them rest upon the floor and others upon the pedestals 44 and brackets 45 for the front frame and pedestals 54 and brackets 55 for the rear frame.

Bearing brackets 56 are attached to the rear frame, as shown in Figs. 2, 4 and 6, for supporting a main drive shaft 51. As shown in Figs. 6 and 7, shaft 51 is driven by a sprocket 58 which is connected by a chain, not shown, with speed reducing gearing driven by an electric motor, not shown. A plurality'of gears 59, driven by shaft 51, mesh with gears 68, each of which drives a shaft 6| as shown best in Fig. 7. Shaft 6| is journaled in a housing 62 secured to a section of the rear side-frame assembly. Shaft 6| drives a worm 63 meshing with worm gear 64. As shown in Fig. 8, the worm gear 64 drives a shaft 65 journaled in bearings provided respectively by the housing 62 supported by left-frame section, such as 53 in Fig. 8, and provided by a frontframe section, such as 43 in Fig .8. All of the shafts 55 are supported in the same manner. To the shaft 65, there is keyed a sleeve or hub 66 to which sprockets 61' and 68 are attached. Each pair of sprockets 61 and 68 engages conveyor chains 69 and 10. Certain links of chains 69 and 18, such as links H and 12, respectively, are attached by screws 13 and 14, respectively, to the bottom of a receptacle or work holder 15.

Referring to Figs. 13 through 15, the Work holder 15 comprises a bottom plate 16 supporting trunnions 11, each carrying a roller 18. While the receptacles 15 are in normal positions for receiving parts to be stacked, the rollers 18 rest upon upper rail 79 supported by the side frames. While the work holders are returning along the undersides of the sprockets, the rollers 18 rest upon lower rails 80. The base 16 supports an adjustable platform 8| which is movable between the end plates 82 and 83 attached to the base 16. When the filling of a work holder begins. the platform 8| will be located at 8| in Fig. 14. As the work holder progresses toward other magazine-transfer units, the platform 8| gradually descends to the full line position in Fig. 14. The descent of the platform 8| is controlled by a rail 84 which is slightly inclined downwardly leading from left to right in Figs. 1, 3 and 5. The conveyor chains 10 are represented by the dot-dash line 18a as in Fig. 1. The direction of movement of the upper parts of chains is to the right as indicated by arrow 18b and the lower parts of the chains move toward the left as indicated by arrow 180. The platform 8| is supported by the rail 84 through the medium of a roller 85 rotatably supported by a rod 86 attached to the platform BI and guided by a bushing 87 attached to the base plate 16. As shown in Fig. 15, the bushing 81 is notched at 88 to receive the roller 85 when it is in its uppermost position in which it would be positioned when the roller 85 engages the left end of the rail 84 in Fig. 1. The rail 84 (Figs. 1, 3 and 5) is so inclined that, as

the work holder moves toward the right, the platform 8| gradually descends from the position 8| (Fig. 14). The gradual descent of the platform 8| provides for descent of a part from the suction cups of the transfer mechanism of a magazine unit the same minimum distance throughout the travel of the work holders from initial to final loading. In handling storage battery plates, this is an advantage since the distance should be as short as possible so as not to loosen the grid paste which is to provide the active material. In order to shield the conveyor chain, each work holder is provided with an apron 89 hinged at 98 to a plate 9| attached to the base 16. As shown in Fig. '7, the aprons 89 each extend from one work holder under the base plate to its adjacent work holder and thus cover the chain while at the same time providing for movement of the work holders relative to the chain as they move around the end sprocket wheels.

While the work holders are moving along the underrails 38, the platforms gravitate to the position 8|, Fig. 39. As each Work holder moves from inverted to upright position, roller 85 engages a, curved rail section 84a supported by a bracket 840 which prevents gravitation of the platform 8 I. As shown in Fig. 39, the work holder supporting rails I9 and 80 overlap, so that each work holder is supported at all times by at least one of the rails.

M agazine-transfer unit The frame of the magazine-transfer unit I comprises, as shown in Figs. 12, 16 and 1'7, a pair of horizontally extending side plates IOI and I02 attached by screws I to a pair of vertically extending side plates I03 and I04, respectively. As shown in Fig. 12, the side plates IN and I02 are mounted upon the conveyor side frame such as sections 40 and 50, for example. The vertical side plates I03 and I04 are attached to a back plate I06 which issecured to the front-side frames of the conveyor, such as the section 40 of Fig. 12. Screws I01 secure plates I03 and I04 to the back plate I00. The plates I03 and I04 support a pair of plates I09 and IIO, respectively (Fig. 16), which supporta series of rollers III upon which a stack of parts may be placed preparatory to movement thereof upon the rollers I I0 of magazine platform II2 (Fig. 8). Rollers II3 are journalled in bearings provided by plate II2a attached to platform II2. The platform II2 is movable vetrically in the space enclosed between plates I03, I04 and I00, from a lower level in which the rollers H3 are on the level of the rollers III to an upper level at which the parts (storage battery plates or separators) are sup-ported for engagement by vacuum cups of the transfer mechanism to be described. In order to provide for upward movement of the platform II2, there is supported a rod IE4 guided by a bracket I I5 which is supported between the plates I03 and I04 and guided also by bearing I I0 which receives a rod I H attached to the rod I I4. Bearing H0 is mounted in a bracket IIB attached to the plates I03 and I00. The rod III is cy1indrical. The rod I I4 as shown in Fig. 24:, is rectangular and received by the notch in the bracket I I5. Hence, turning of the rod H4 is prevented.

Rod I I0 is liftd by a mechanism having a stepby-step motion. For this purpose, the rod II l carries a ratchet bar I20 engaged by an elevating pawl I2I and a retaining pawl I22. These pawls are urged by springs I20 and I24 against the ratchet bar I20. Pawl I2I (Fig. 29) is supported by an eccentric I25 provided by a sleeve I20 attached by pin I21 to a shaft I28 to which a key I29 secures a sprocket I30 whose hub is journaled in a bearing I3I supported by plate I03 and plate I09. Side plate I04 and plate I I0 support a bearing I within which is journaled the hub of a sprocket I00 attached by key I37 to shaft I28. The pawl I2! is retained upon its eccentric I25 by a spacing sleeve I38 located between the hub of sprocket I00 and the right sideof the eccentric I25. When the shaft I20 is rotated, the pawl I2I is lifted a distance slightly in excess of the spacing of the teeth of the ratchet bar I20 so that the retaining pawl I22 may move under a tooth of the ratchet bar and retain the bar while the pawl I2I descends in order to pick up the next succeeding ratchet tooth. By means to be de scribed, the shaft I28 is continuously rotated. Retaining pawl I22 is mounted on the eccentric portion I40 of a shaft MI supported by brackets I42 attached to a bar I00 supported between the plates I03 and I00. The shaft I II has a square end portion I44 for receiving a wrench by which the shaft I4I may be turned in order to adjust tion.

that the platform II2 is free to gravitate.

By virtue of the reciprocating motion of the pawl IZI, the platform II2 is caused to move upwardly until reached when the pawls I 2| and I22 are autoa predetermined elevation is matically retracted and the platform II2 graviltates to starting position shown in Fig. 8. The

retraction of the pawls, by causing them to move counterclockwise (Fig. 21) about their supports, is effected by an electromagnet or solenoid I50 supported between the plates I09 and H0 and having an armature I5I connected by a link I5Ia with two yoke plates I 52 which are provided with slots I53 (Fig. 21) each receiving a pin I54 with which a spring I 23 or I24 is connected. The slots I53 permit counterclockwise movement of the ratchets I2I and I22 during their normal func- When the armature I 5| moves right in Fig. 8 or left in Fig. 21, the yoke plates I52 move the pins I50 away from the ratchet bar I20 so The solenoid is controlled by an electric switch I55 mounted on side plates I03, Figs. 16 and 18. When platform II2 is moved upwardly a certain distance, an adjustable screw I50 (Fig. 17) mounted on a bracket I5! attached to bar II I engages a stud I58 carried by the operating arm I59 of the switch I 55 and causes the arm to move counterclockwise as viewed in Figs. 16 and. 18 to I connect the solenoid I50 with a current source,

not shown. The pawls I2I and I22 are retracted from the ratchet bar I20 so that the platform I I2 is free to descend. Its descent is cushioned by the engagement of a piston I 00 (Fig. 19) onrod III with a cylinder IOI mounted on bracket H8.

The return of the platform I I 2 to starting position effects automatically the opening of the switch I55 so that the pawls I2I and I22 are returned by the springs I23 and I 24 to operating position. For this purpose, the stud I58 of the switch-.lever I59 is connected with a rod I02 whose lower end passes through a hole in a lug I5'Ia of bracket I5'I. The lower end of rod I62 :is threaded to receive nuts I03 which are so ad- -justed that the descent of the bracket I5'I causes its lug I5la to engage the upper nut I63 to move the rod I02 down and the arm I59 clockwise into 'position for opening the switch I55.

Immediately following the descent of the platform II2 the operator moves a stack of parts (which may be aligned by a plate I09a extend- It is then necessary to move the of a group of parts being retained in the upper end of the magazine by means to be described.

To effect this, the operator depresses a pedal -lever I05 pivoted at I00 on a bracket I01 attached to a member of the front frame of the conveyor.

Motion is transmitted by a chain I08 attached to the lever I05 to a wheel I09 fixed to a shaft I10 supported by the bracket I I8. The shaft I10 -is rotated counterclockwise in Fig. 8 or clockwise in Fig. 19 to cause the cam III to engage a roller I'IZ pivotally supported by bracket I51 and thus to lift the bracket I51 and the rod H4 and the platform II2. The pawl I22 will retain platform II2 approximately at position into which it is elevated by the operator. Then the 7 operator releases the pedal I65 and the shaft I10 and parts carried thereby are returned to their original position by counterweight I13 connected with a rod I'M attached to the shaft I'I0. Thus the lever I is returned to its original position. The upward feeding of the magazine platform I I2 continues by virtue of the reciprocation of the pawl I2I which is effected by the rotating shaft I28.

At the instant the platform I I 2 is released and descends to its original position, the top edges of the rollers II3 will have been elevated slightly above a level represented by dot-dash line I80, Fig. 21, which represents the elevation of the underside of the lowermost stack of parts remaining in the magazine. The level of the upper surface of the uppermost part is represented by line I8I. Therefore the reserve stack of parts is located between the levels I and IBI. The reserve stack is retained by pawls which move into retaining position at the begin ning of the descent of the platform II 2 when released. If the magazine is to contain storage battery plates, it is provided with pawls I82 (Fig. 35) which move into position for engagement with the lower surface of the lowermost plate in the reserve stack. Pawls I82 are located in recesses I83 provided by the side plates I03 and I04. Each is pivoted upon a rod I84 and is urged into retaining position by a plunger 585 actuated by a spring I86 (Fig. 37). Counterclockwise movement of the pawl I82 is limited by a stop plate I81 engaging a shoulder I88 of the pawl. Plates I86a attached to the side plates I03 and I00 by screws I862) (Fig. 35) support the springs I86 and plungers I85. Rods I0 3 are confined in grooves provided by plates I0! and it)? on the left (Fig. 35) and provided by plates 02 and I04 on the right. If the magazine is to contain storage battery separatorsthe means for retaining the reserve stack is effected by a set of pawls I82 (Fig. 22) like pawls I82 of Fig. 37 supported by the back plate I05 and by a set of paWls I90 supported by rod I9I carried by a bar I92 which is attached to side plates IOI and I02. The pawls I90 are urged clockwise in Fig. 21 by plungers I93 actuated by springs I94. Clockwise movement of each pawl I90 is limited by a bar I95 received by a notch I96 in the pawl. Bar I95 is attached to bar I92. Separators are urged toward back plate I06 by spring fingers I91 attached by screws I98 to bar I92, shown in Fig. 23A.

Transfer mechanism 'slidable through an opening in the plate 200.

The pipe 206 is attached by a hose or flexible tube to a vacuum controlling valve to be described. The rod 203 carries a shaft 207 which extends horizontally and which supports rollers 208 and engaging cam plates 209 and rollers 2I0 for engaging rails 2II. Rails 2I I are supported by the guide plates 20I. Cam plates 209 are attached by yoke 2I2 to rods 2I3 which pass through holes 2I4 in plate 200 so that the cam plates 209 may 8 i be guided for horizontal movement relative to the plate 200. Rods 2I3 are connected with a yoke 2I5 which is pivotally connected by a pin 2I6 with a link 2I I connected with a reciprocating mechanism to be described. Guidance of the plates 209 for horizontal movement relative to the plate 200 is effected also by the engagement of a pad 220 of plate 200 with roller 22I journaled on a pin 222 supported by the plates 209. The spacing of the plates 209 is determined by notches 2I2a provided by the yoke 2I2 for the reception of the plates and also by a spacer stud 223 (Fig. 25) joining the plates. As the rods 2I3 move toward the front of the machine, (right in Fig. 12 and left in Fig. 21), the plate 200 tends to move with the rods 2| 3 due to the compression of the air being trapped within the holes 2I4 in plate 200 (Fig. 27). Movement of plate 200 toward the left is arrested by engagement with stops 225 fastened to the ends of the side plates IOI and I02 and guide-bars 20I. Movement of the rods 2I3 is continuous to the position shown in Fig. 28. The rollers 2I0 leave the rails 2H and rollers 208 engage the cam plates 209. As plates 209 move left, the rollers 208 will descend upon the cams 299; and the vacuum cups 205, which are suspended thereby, will descend to the level indicated by line 205a in Fig. 28 and Fig. 21 or to whatever higher level is attained by the uppermost surface of the parts in the upper end of the magazine. The pip-e 205 being connected with vacuum, the uppermost part in the magazine will adhere to the cups 205 as the cups ascend. Movement of the rods 2I3 toward the right (Fig. 28) causes cams 209 to move relative to the rollers 208, thereby lifting the rollers 208 to the position shown in Fig. 27, while rollers 2I0 ride along the vertical end edges of the rails 2I I. By the time that the lost motion between the yoke 2I2 and the left end of the plate 200 has been taken up, the rollers 208 will rest upon the horizontal surfaces 209a of the cam plates 209. Further right movement of the rods causes the plates 209 and the plate 200 to move together. At the start of this movement the rollers 2I0 ride over the rounded corners of the rails 2H and then upon the rails, as shown in Fig. 26. Rollers 208 have then moved to 208" (Fig. 2'7). As the transfer mechanism travels toward the conveyor, the rollers 2I0 ride along the rails 2| I, thereby supporting the part adhering to the vacuum cups above the upper sides of the conveyor side frames. By the time the axes of the rollers 2I0 have been brought into alignment with the vertical center line of the conveyor so that the part transferred may gravitate upon the platform 8| of the conveyor receptacle I5, a valve will have been actuated to relieve the vacuum upon the cup.

The vacuum controlling valve will now be described with reference to Figs. 8 to 12. The valve unit 230 comprises a frame 23I having cross bars 23Ia (Fig. 4A) attached to brackets 23Ib each mounted on one of the plates 20I. Bar 23Ia supports a part 232 attached thereto by a nut 233 and having a partition 234, spacing chambers 235 and 236 which are connected respectively with pipes 231 and 238. Pipe 238 is connected by a hose 239 with pipe 206 (Fig. 21), said hose having a loop which permits relative movement between the pipe 206 and the pipe 238. Pipe 23'! is connected with a vacuum manifold 260 supported by the rear side frame of the conveyor in any suitable manner. The vacuum manifold 240 is connected with a vacuum pump and has a capacity such that it can supply needed vacuum to the cups in as many sets of transfer units as are required for the stacking operations. The part 232 supports a slide valve 24! having a groove 242 separating lands 243 and 244. When the valve is in the position shown in Fig. 11, ports 245 to the left of the partition 234 will be blocked and ports 246 to the right of the partition 234 will be opened to atmosphere, thereby breaking the vacuum in the cups 205. When the valve 24! is movedto the right so that it engages a nut 241 which couples the pipe 238 to the part 232, the ports 246 will be blocked from atmosphere and will be connected with the ports 245 by the groove 242. Then the vacuum cups are connected with the vacuum manifold. Movement of the valve 24! is effected by movement of a yoke 248 pivotally supported by a pin 249 attached to the frame 23!. The arms of the yoke 248 carry pins 250 engaging a groove provided by the valve 24!. One arm of the yoke 248 carries a bent rod 252 having a downwardly extending portion 252a, an arcuate portion 2521), an upwardly extending portion 2520 and a bevel-end portion 252d. The rod 252 is engageable with a lug 253 provided by a bracket 254 attached to the carriage plate 290.

When the valve 24! is in the position shown in Fig. 21, the vacuum cups are subjected to vacuum so that the uppermost part of the stack in the magazine will be transferred first upwardly and then horizontally toward the conveyor. As the part approaches the conveyor, the lug 253 rides under the part 2521) of rod 252 and strikes an arm of the yoke 248, thereby causing it to move from the position shown in Fig. 12 to the position shown in Figs. 8 and 9. By the time the rod 263 has been positioned in vertical alignment with the center line of the conveyor, the valve 24! will have been moved into the position shown in Figs. 9 and 11, thereby breaking the vacuum in the cups and permitting the part to gravitate upon the work holder platform 8 I. During movement of the plate 26!] toward the magazine, the lug 253 bears against the rod portion 252:; and then under the arcuate portion 252b, thereby returning the valve 24! to the position shown in Fig. 12 so that vacuum is again applied to the cups. If, when the machine is first put into operation, the valve operating rod 252 should happen to be in the position shown in Fig. 9 when the lug 253 is moving toward the rod, lug 253 will engage rod surface 252d and begin to move the rod upwardly and further upwardly as the lug 253 engages the rod surface 2520. In this way breakage of parts is avoided due to the accidental misplacement of the rod 253 before the machine is put into operation.

Magazine-transfer unit operating mechanism Referring to Figs. 6, '1 and 12, shaft 51 drives a gear 26!! which meshes with a gear 26! connected with a shaft 262 supported by a bracket 263 fastened to one of the rear-side frame members. An angularly adjustable connection i provided between gear 26! and shaft 262. Referring to Figs. 1A and 7B, the hub of gear 26! supported by a hub 262a attached to shaft 262 by a key 2621) and providing a plate 2620 having arcuate slots 262d each for receiving a screw 26 I a passing through a washer 26!?) and threaded into a spoke 26Ic of the gear 26!. The purpose of the adjustment effected between gear 26! and plate 2620 is to synchronize .the magazine-transfer mechanism with the conveyor so that a work holder will be vertically below the vacuum cups of a transfer mechanism when a part gravitates therefrom. Shaft 262 drives a gear 264 meshing with a gear 265 which drives a shaft 266 also supported by the bracket 263. Shaft 266 drives a bevel gear 261 meshing with bevel gear 268 connected with a shaft 283 supported by bearings 21!], 21! and 212 and driving a bevel gear 213 which meshes with a bevel gear 214 (Fig. 12) which drives a shaft 215. Shaft 215 is supported by a bracket 216 attached to one of the frontside frame members and drives a sprocket 211. Shaft 215 is in alignment with all of the shafts i28 of all of the magazine-transfer units I69. The shaft 215 is connected with the shaft I28 immediately to the right thereof; and each shaft I28 is connected with its neighbor in a similar manner. For example, the adjacent sprockets 211 and I38 (Fig. 1) are, in effect, two half sprockets which, when juxtaposed, form a complete sprocket adapted to receive a sprocket chain 280 such as shown in Figs. 30 and 31. This chain 289 is wrapped around the abutting half sprocket members and the ends 286a and 2801) are joined by a' detachable link 28! fixed to pins 282 passing through spacing sleeves 283 and retained by a resilient retainer 284, the arms of which can snap into grooves 285 provided by the pins 282. The shaft 215 and the shafts I28 of magazine units provide in effect one continuous shaft when they are coupled together by the sprocket chains which engage the half sprocket members such as 211 and I30, Fig. 1, or I36 and I38. Removal of any one of th magazine-transfer units without disturbing any other unit can be effected with great facility since the shaft section I28 of the unit to be removed can easily be uncoupled from its neighboring shafts simply by uncoupling and removing the sprocket chains. By removing the screws which fasten the magazine-transfer unit to the conveyor frame and the bracket I61 to the front of the conveyor frame, the unit may be easily removed. Obviously the hose 239 will be removed and the transfer operating link 2I1 must be uncoupled from its operating mechanism.

The mechanism for reciprocating the links 2I1 will now be described. The rear side frame of the conveyor carries brackets 29!! supporting a shaft 29!, carrying a plurality of arms 292 each connected by a pin 293 with a link 2!!. The link 2!! may include two end sections and an intermediate turnbuckle 2 No by which the length of the link may be adjusted in order that the position of the transfer mechanism relative to the frame may be adjusted to the proper position in which the vacuum cups will be brought into proper relation to the magazine at one end of the oscillation of the lever 292 and with the conveyor work holders at the other end of the oscillation of the lever 292. The shaft 29! carries an arm 294 connected by a pin 295 with a link 296 connected with a crank pin 29! fastened to gear 264.

When the machine uses a relatively large number of magazine-transfer units, it is desirable to distribute the transmission of power to both ends of shaft 29!. Therefore the mechanism shown in Figs. 6 and '1 is duplicated substantially in Fig. 2. Thus shaft 29! is driven at both ends. The sprocket 58 (Fig. '1) can be located mid-way on shaft 51 further to distribute the loading. Likewise, the long shaft consisting of short sections 215 (Figs. 1 and 5) and aligned sections I28 (Fig. 29) connected by sprockets I and. chain couplers may be driven at both ends or the center coupler can be omitted so. that the long shaft is divided into two substantially equal shorter sections each driven at one end thereof.

The control of thepawls I2I and I22 of each magazine unit can be effected by means other than a solenoid I50. Fig. 33 shows an alternative construction. To plates I and H0. corresponding to plates I09 and I I0 of Fig. 29, there are secured plates 300 and 30I respectively which support a rod 302 secured by a set screw 303.

Rod 302 pivotally supports a plate 30 having a notch 305 receiving a link 306 connected by pin 30! with the plate 304 and connected by pin 308 with the yoke plates I52. A spring 309 connecting plate 30.4 and I06 urges the plate 300 counterclockwise toward a latch lever 3E0 which engages a wear piece 3II attached to plate 304 by a screw 3 I2. Lever 3 I0 is pivoted on a rod 3I3 supported by plates 300 and 301. Plate 300, is connected by screw 3I4 and spacer 315 with a lever 3H5 attached to a hub 3H journaled on rod 302.

When the platform II2 reaches the upper level of its travel, a screw BIB attached to. bracket I53 engages latch lever 310 to cause it to. separate from wear piece 3 thereby permitting spring 300 to move the plate 304 and the lever counterclockwise to efiect left movement of link 306, yokes I52 and pawls I20. and I2! whereupon the platform II2 gravitates to the lowest level just as it did when solenoid i50 was energized. The operator moves a stack of parts from rollers III to rollers H3 and moves lever SIE clockwise to permit engagement of the pawls I and I2! with the ratchet bar I20. so that upward feeding of the platform II2 may be resumed. As the lever MB is moved clockwise, the latch lever SIS gravitates into engagement with wear piece 3.! I; and lever 3I6 will then be retained in pawl-toratchet engaging position.

In the modification shown in Figs. 33 and 34, the return of the pawls to ratchet-engaging position is effected manually instead of automatically as in the form first disclosed. The omission of the feature of automatic pawl-reengagement is offset by simplification of construction and reduction of cost and also by saving in the space occupied by the solenoids, thereby making possible the location of a dust collector duct 320 under the rollers III upon which there are located the parts from which loose particles and dust may be removed by suction from the duct.

While the embodiments of the present invention as herein disclosed, constitute preferred forms, it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted, all coming within the scope Of the claims which follow.

What is claimed is as follows:

l. A battery plate and separator assembling machine comprising a horizontally moving conveyor having a plurality of equally spaced plate holders each adapted to receive plates and separators, a motor, a mechanism connecting the motor with the conveyor for moving the conveyor continuously, a plurality of magazines adjacent the conveyor and equally spaced the distance between the plate holders of the conveyor, said magazines respectively containing vertical stacks of positive and negative plates and separators in the sequence in which they occur in a battery, transfer devices respectively aligned with the magazines and each including pick-up means for removing the topmost plate from the magazine and for carrying said plate to a location directly above the conveyor, timed control means for causing said pick-up means to release the plate when located directly above one of said plate holders on the conveyor, and means operated by said mechanism for operating the transfer devices and control means and in timed relation to conveyor movement whereby the released plates gravitate upon the conveyor plate-holders.

2. A machine according to claim 1 in which each plate holder has a vertically movable platform which receives the falling plates, each platform being supported by a roller which engages a fixed track which is downwardly inclined in the direction of movement of the holders as they are being filled, the inclination of the track being such that, as a holder moves from a position in alignment with one transfer device to a position in alignment with the next transfer device, the platform of that holder descends a distance sul stantially equal to the average thickness of the plates and separators.

3. A battery plate and separator assembling machine comprising a horizontally moving conveyor having a plurality of equally spaced holders each adapted to receive plates and separators, a motor, a mechanism connecting the motor with the conveyor for moving the conveyor con,- tinuously, magazines equally spaced the distance between the plate holders of the conveyor, said magazines respectively containing vertical stacks of positive and negative plates and separators in the sequence in which they occur in a battery, a shaft, means driven by said mechanism for effecting an oscillation of said shaft during movement of the holders between positions of alignment with said magazines, a plurality of aligned levers attached to the shaft, a plurality of transfer devices respectively aligned with the magazine and each having a horizontally reciprocable member connected with a lever on said shaft and having a horizontally movable carriage means for transmitting motion from the member to the carriage in a direction to move the carriage away from the magazine, means for transmitting motion from the member to the carriage toward the magazine and permitting over-travel of the member, the last mentioned means comprising piston and cylinder elements one element being provided by the member and the other by the carriage, a fixed stop engaged by the carriage when located vertically above the magazine, further movement of the member in one direction causing air in the cylinder to be compressed to urge the carriage against the step, movement of the memher in the opposite direction to take up the lost motion reducing air compression in the cylinder While the carriage remains against the stop, means for effecting descent of the device in response to movement of the member in one direction after the carriage has been stopped and for effecting ascent of the device and plate retained thereby in response to reverse movement of the member to take up lost motion, and means for causing said provisions to release the plate upon arrival of the carriage at a position vertically above a conveyor plate-holder.

I 4. A battery plate and separator assembling machine comprising, in combination, a conveyor having a plurality of equally spaced plate holders associated therewith, driving means for continuously moving the conveyor and its plate holders, a plurality of magazines adjacent the conveyor and equally spaced the distance between the plate holders on the conveyor, successive magazines carrying supplies of positive plates, separators and'negative plates, transfer devices 13 associated with each magazine, each device including pick-up means thereon for moving the topmost plate from the magazine and for transporting said plate to a location directly above the conveyor, timed control means for nullifying the action of the pick-up means for releasing the plate when located directly above one of said plate holders whereby the plate gravitates upon the plate holder, and a fixed track adjacent the sides of the conveyor and engaging the plate holders, said track being downwardly inclined in the direction of movement of the conveyor, the inclination being such that as a plate holder moves from a position beneath one transfer device to a position beneath the next transfer device that the holder descends a distance substantially equal to the average thickness of the plates being stacked thereon whereby the uppermost plate on each plate holder is always substantially the same distance from the transfer device at any station.

CHARLES A. NICHOLS.

LORA E'. POOLE.

DONALD G. MAHONEY.

MARSHALL D. McSI-IURLEY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 336,378 Wood Feb. 23, 1886 380,898 Johns Apr. 10, 1888 628,829 Mercer July 11, 1899 1,065,085 Steere June 17, 1913 1,069,009 Heinrich July 29, 1913 1,086,391 Molyneux Feb. 10. 1914 1,089,274 Von Sazenhofen Mar. 3, 1914 1,119,342 Burnham Dec. 1, 1914 1,366,549 Winkley Jan. 25, 1921 1,711,647 Milmoe May 7, 1929 1,865,750 Elwell July 5, 1932 1,941,106 Park, Jr Dec. 26, 1933 2,021,360 Halvorsen Nov. 19,1935 2,137,381 Blackstone Nov. 22, 1938 2,167,470 West July 25, 1939 2,324,523 Lund July 20, 1943 

